Future Analytics Interactive Brochure

Future Analytics Consulting (FAC) is a dynamic chartered consultancy specialising in spatial planning, research and economics. With an established reputation built on a professional, innovative and bespoke approach to problem solving, we have a track record of successfully managing and delivering projects across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

An evidence-based ethos

Our work is grounded in an evidence-based ethos. Evidence is about di�erent types of information and, speci�cally, what is relevant to a project. It is about assessing how these pieces of information relate to each other and arranging them in a considered and coherent manner to complete the project puzzle. This provides a sound basis for decision making, ensuring the approach taken is robust, credible and defensible.

our work

Regional Development Studies/Strategies; Development and Local Area Plans; Masterplanning; Housing and Retail Strategies; Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment; Transport and Infrastructure Planning; Regeneration Studies.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement; Data-mining, Analysis, Modelling and Visualisation; Project Appraisal and Evaluation, Strategy Development and Training; Cost Bene�t Analysis; Expert Witness Services; European Consortia Structuring, Bid Preparation and Budgeting.

Impact and Forecasting Modelling; Socio-Economic Studies; Economic Data Collection and Data Dissemination; Tourism Strategies and Integrated Local Development Plans; Development Viability Assessment; Local, Regional and National Demographic Forecasts.

PLANNING RESEARCH ECONOMICS

We o�er a full suite of planning services.

Positive solutions based on a real life understanding of

market conditions.

National and International leaders in applied research development and

project management.

Strategic Planning Development Control

Economics

Planning Legislation/Regulatory Advice; Site Development and Land Use Feasibility Appraisals; Project Management of Planning Applications; Planning Applications for Residential, Commercial, Retail and Industrial Developments,

Research and Knowledge Dissemination

EU 7th Framework Programme/Horizon 2020 Coordinators/Project Partners in research on Resilience (Urban Security, Citizen Safety and Protection of Critical Infrastructure); Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery; Smart Cities, Energy E�ciency and Bioenergy;Communities and Social Impacts.

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BESPOKE SOLUTIONS

Our diverse service o�er, multidisciplinary team and extensive experience ensures that we are well placed to meet the unique demands of your project or proposal. We address project work on a case-speci�c basis and work with clients to deliver a bespoke engagement solution, speci�cally tailored to meet identi�ed needs, to positively address and solve complex and sensitive issues, as necessary. Our reputation in this area is exemplary and is best re�ected in our wide client base and variety of project involvement, both domestically and abroad.

FAC is the overall project co-ordinator on HARMONISE, a 3 year FP7 research and development project which will take place between 2013-2016. The central aim of HARMONISE is to develop a comprehensive, concept for the enhanced security, resilience and sustainability of large scale urban built infrastructure and development. The project, which highlights various challenges and trends emerging within the resilience �eld; demonstrates where gaps in the current state of the art lie; and provides the basis to build upon existing knowledge and advancing the state of the art of urban resilience, recognises the necessity to improve the design of urban areas and increase their security against, and resilience, to new threats and a range of tools will be developed for this.

As co-ordinator of this major pan European project, FAC has overall responsibility for project/ consortium management and coordination, in addition to active participation in all other work packages. A substantial element of the project concerns the use of case study analysis and applied demonstrations to test the e�ectiveness and integration capacity of the HARMONISE concept in practice. The approach to the review of policy and practice employed, focused upon working with key community stakeholders and end-user representatives to identify case study area projects, with speci�c consideration of their distinct operational context, challenges and resource availability. This evaluation was supplemented by the identi�cation of key policy makers within each of the case study areas and the relevant strategic bodies which drive and implement policy. The support and active engagement of a number of civil end-users in the empirical evaluation of HARMONISE products will ensure that the project delivers a concept that is practical and useable and �rmly rooted in the everyday practice of the selected study area.

European Commission

Client Name: Project Title:

Project Description:

HARMONISE (A Holistic Approach to Resilience and Systematic Actions to Make Large Scale Urban Built Infrastructure Secure)

2013-2016years:

Future Analytics Consulting · Planning + Economics + Research · 23 Fitwilliam Square (South), Dublin 2, Ireland · www.futureanalytics.ie

The INDICATE (Indicator-based Interactive Decision Support and Information Exchange) platform for smart cities proposes an innovative city-wide decision support system which accounts for all major systems and activities relevant to developing energy-e�cient cities. To create a ‘Smart Economy’, integrated smart urban planning tools including architectural masterplanning and detailed energy optimisation and environmental analysis will be required. If this is not addressed, there is concern that we will be unable to deliver the Millennium Development Goals as agreed by each of the UN member states. INDICATE addresses these issues through the development of a decision support tool that is used in all stages of urban development of a city. The tool can be used to (i) inform masterplanning at early stages of urban development; (ii) help make decisions with respect to best technologies to integrate and their economic and environmental impact to the urban environment; and (iii) optimise existing Smart Technologies to further reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. In essence, this ‘Smart City’ project focuses upon the creation of an unprecedented common city indicator index which is to be applied on a pan-European basis to enable the measuring of all aspects of a cities performance.

In the context of an increasingly global economic system based on knowledge and innovation, there has been a widespread trend of ‘smart’ benchmarking and evidence-based policy adjustment amongst public and private bodies in order to ensure their competitiveness, and thus employment, sustainable growth and social inclusion in their localities. Benchmarking, which employs indicators to identify key patterns and trends and to assess and compare performance relative to the local, regional, national and international context, allows policy makers to understand where improvements are needed and observe how best practices elsewhere can be transferred and implemented.



INDICATE (Indicator-based Interactive Decision Support and Information Exchange)

2013-2016

European CommissionClient Name: Project Title:

Years:





years:

2013-2016

COBACORE (Community Based Comprehensive Recovery)

European Commission


The COBACORE (Community Based Comprehensive Recovery) research project aims to address the collaboration gap between stakeholders involved in post-disaster recovery through the development of a holistic approach to addressing the common needs of communities a�ected by both natural and man-made disasters, particularly focusing on assessment and recovery planning. COBACORE will assist in bridging this collaboration gap between supporting organisations and the a�ected communities by introducing a more integrated approach to information sharing via an online platform, resulting in improved needs matching and leading to an enhanced decision making processes. An essential element of the implementation of COBACORE is community-wide involvement that will ensure a community-based approach to the needs assessment processes. This will particularly assist local, regional and national authorities in the provision of assistance and guidance to supporting organisations and communities.

FAC is responsible for dissemination, exploitation and education, thereby maximising project impact and outreach across key stakeholder groups. FAC’s current work on the COBACORE project involves a signi�cant component of focus group activities with disaster a�ected communities in rural and coastal environments. These focus groups activities were specially designed by FAC to build upon the initial information collected from a�ected residents and community members via qualitative surveys, and were structured in order to further explore key themes with these respondents.

Project Title:



The BESECURE (Best Practice Enhancers for Security in Urban Regions) project focuses upon urban security, a complex multi-dimensional process that results from the interaction of an increasingly diverse collection of stakeholders. The project works towards a better understanding of urban security through examination of di�erent European urban areas which will help build a comprehensive and pragmatic set of indicators, and a risk assessment model which can provide speci�c cues about the development of certain urban security scenarios.

In working on this project, FAC was responsible for undertaking numerous stakeholder interaction sessions to collect data to support the projects case study activities. Stakeholders in this context were characterised as all contacts having an interest in the BESECURE project and potential end-users of the BESECURE products, while interview respondents were identi�ed as persons involved as participants in the interview-based data collection phase of the project. Interviews were carried out with a range of actors including citizens, policy advisors, Government, institutional and organisational representatives and neighbourhood workers, with a view to gaining insight into urban security policies, practices, the decision making process and knowledge on local networks of stakeholders and their respective needs. FAC also undertook extensive case study research, testing and validation exercises as part of the project methodology, with an objective to identify and evaluate strategic policy directives in order to inform the formulation of best practice initiatives. This was achieved by learning from policy makers in eight speci�c urban case study zones on how to approach security issues, develop options, select and implement, and monitor progress in order to determine best practices for determining drivers (indicators) and actions (policy options). These case study activities enabled the identi�cation of gaps which existed in policy and practice in relation to potential undesirable security scenarios and enabled partner cities to learn from each other regarding their approach to security issues.



years:2013-2016

BESECURE (Best Practice Enhancers for Security of Urban Environments)

European Commission


S-Help (Securing Health Emergency Learning Planning - Development of Decision Support Tools for Preparedess and Response of Health Services Involved in Emergency Situations)

2014-2017

European CommissionClient Name: Project Title:

Years:


Large scale disasters – be they natural, deliberate or accidental – are inevitable. Healthcare practitioners and services respond to emergency situations but they are sometimes overwhelmed by the demand for rapid decision-making. Decisions in the allocation of strained resources, prioritising casualties, while simultaneously trying to contain the level of impact are challenging. Between 70% and 80% of disaster losses are secondary to indirect deaths that would not have occurred without the breakdown of social and health services and the information systems. Therefore, preparedness and response capabilities of Health Services will directly impact society’s ability to ‘bounce back’ to become more resilient to such devastating shocks.

The central aim of the S-HELP project is to develop and deliver a holistic framed approach to healthcare preparedness, response and recovery. S-HELP is a people, process and technological solution to emergency situations. More precisely, it aims to de�ne standards to enable communication and coordination across di�erent geographical settings; to create a collaborative end user and supporting partner driven solution to meet the needs of di�erent users; to de�ne and apply a data comparison standard for multiple disaster response agencies; and advancing the design and application of current available solutions, to improve preparedness, response and recovery in emergency situations. FAC is the leader of WP5 End User Needs and Requirements. This work package focuses on identifying end user requirements in terms of health care emergency management. As part of this FAC is responsible for undertaking a range of stakeholder consultation activities including end user workshops, European wide surveys, interviews, webinars and focus groups with potential end users of the S-HELP solution. FAC also plays a major role in the collation, handling and analysis of data to inform decision making before, during and after a major emergency incident. This includes the development of a Spatial Database Management System to house and manage spatial data.




The resilience of critical infrastructures to natural and or man-made threats is one of the mostdemanding challenges for society today. Both economic tra�c and the day-to-day life of our citizens depend very much on the undisturbed functioning of these infrastructures. Serious malfunctioning and disruptions of these infrastructures may have severe consequences for our economy, our society and for the environment. Developing and maintaining critical infrastructures require major capital investments. Most technical critical infrastructures are to serve for very long lifetimes (50+ years). Hence, future hazards have to be taken into account when considering and designing the infrastructure and its protectivemeasures. At the same time, one needs to prepare for capabilities necessary to mitigate and recover from disruptions when they occur. The INTACT project (on the impact of extreme weather on critical infrastructures) will address these challenges and bring together the best of current knowhow and experience in Europe in order to develop and demonstrate good practices in planning and designingprotective measures as well as crisis response and recovery capabilities.

Project Title:

years:

2014-2017

INTACT (Impact of Extreme Weather on Critical Infrastructure)- Capability Project


Client Name:

European Commission



The vulnerability of urban environments remains an underdeveloped theme. The issue of security and citizen safety is of paramount importance and a growing concern with half of the world's population currently living in urban centres and with this �gure set to increase to two-thirds by 2050.

In order to e�ectively face these challenges, urban planning teams need tools that fully encompass the pre-application process with developers/designers and that facilitate �exible solutions to potential security issues, rather than impose measures. These tools would ideally o�er integrated and comprehensive support throughout all levels of the planning process, including the conceptual level (that pivots around the birth of a plan), the plan level (that deals with establishing a viable outline) and the detail level (that concerns all speci�cations needed to realize the plan).

The objective of VITRUV is the development of these tools to support urban planners to consistently integrate security issues into the considerations made in the long and complex process which makes upurban planning. In this context, Future Analytics Consulting is providing spatial planning expertise to ahigh-level pan-European consortium investigating the vulnerability of urban environments.

Project Title:

years:2011-2014

VITRUV (Vulnerability Identi�cation Tools for ResilienceEnhancement of Urban Environments)


Client Name: European Commission

FAC previously undertook the Gateways and Hubs Development Index 2012 on the behalf of the BMW Regional Assembly, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Index was formally published in May 2013 following an o�cial launch by Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, T.D. and Minister for Housing and Planning at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. A priority objective of the Assemblies Regional Operational Programmes 2007-2013 was to focus investment within the National Spatial Strategy’s (2002) designated Gateways and Hubs in order to strengthen their attractiveness, accessibility and competitiveness.

The Index acted as an evidence-based assessment evaluating the socio-economic performance of these nine national Gateways and nine regional Hubs across a range of thematic social, economic and environmental domains and constituent indicators including labour activity, employment levels and economic activity. A wide range of stakeholders involved in policy formulation and strategic decision-making attended a series of presentations, workshops and round-table facilitation sessions to inform and guide the evolution of the GHDI project, including representatives of the City and County Managers Association, the Environmental Protection Agency and Central Statistics O�ce. The GHDI workshop sessions facilitated by FAC explored the thematic indicators and mobilised di�erent tables to focus on geographic areas and on the identi�cation of appropriate datasets to re�ne the overall framework. The GHDI project was a nominee at the Irish Planning Institute National Planning Award, 2014.



Gateways and Hubs Development Index 2012

2012-2013

Border Midland and Western Regional Assembly and Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly


Years:


FAC are currently undertaking a Technical Study into the Economic Development of Kerry and the Duhallow area of North County Cork, which is nearing completion. This is an inter-territorial project involving three LEADER Partnerships companies and seeks to assess the socio-economic impact of national and regional spatial policy on the locality in the period since the introduction of the National Spatial Strategy in 2002. The overall aim of this study is to inform the direction of strategic planning and economic development in Kerry and Duhallow and it is designed to identify real economic potential for each community by illustrating actions which will unlock future development for the territories of the three partnerships.

As such, the performance of the tri-partnership area is assessed against a wide range of spatial, socio-economic and statistical datasets on themes including employment, travel patterns, tourism, socio-economic pro�ling, enterprise locations as well as other economic activities, with FAC collating data on local economic assets, skills base and related initiatives, so that evidence-based opportunities are proposed which take advantage of the strengths and capacity of local people and the local area. Overall, the study will enable identi�cation of the Partnership’s actual functional areas and economic geography, relative to a range of spatial and socio-economic determinants including the economic in�uence of key settlements, and accessibility and location of high-level social infrastructure in the locality, thereby setting the spatial parameters for future socio-economic policy development and strategic planning activities.


Technical Study into the Economic Development of Kerry and Duhallow

IRD Duhallow, South and East Kerry Development Partnership and North Kerry Development Partnership


years:


2013-2014


HUDU (London Healthy Urban Development Unit) - Planning Contributions Model

2011-2014

National Health Service (NHS, UK) London HUDU


Years:

Project Description: FAC carried out a review of the London Healthy Urban Development Unit (HUDU) Planning Contributions Tool, as part of a high-quality partnership. The project was commissioned to review the existing model, and to develop a new model to support the planning of health infrastructure in the Greater London Area (GLA). The National Health Service (NHS) through the London HUDU has developed the Health and Urban Planning toolkit. This tool is used for improving the link between the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the Local Authorities. The PCT is a NHS body responsible for the provision of community health services in a particular area.

The HUDU project outlines expected future development contributions to the NHS based on a variety of spatial indicators. The tool takes into account a selection of contributing information sources on; population growth, household gain, �oorspace, cost implications to evolve impacts that a development will have on the community and thus the contribution to the NHS.


In 2012, FAC were commissioned by Meath County Council, following an open call for tenders, to prepare the Meath County Housing Strategy 2013-2019 which was to form part of the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. The contract for work was extensive and included a demographic and market assessment, which enabled understanding of recent activity in the wider housing market and population dynamics, the full analysis of housing demand and projected future housing supply, the evidence-based formulation of housing objectives and strategy, in addition to a signi�cant level of stakeholder consultation and presentation activities. The project encompassed an assessment of available social and economic data on County Meath, including those relating to population trends, housing targets and land supply, and that set out in the context of RPG and Core Strategy projections. This research revealed that County Meath experienced an exceptionally high level of growth over the last decade with this level of growth not having being equal across the county, with quite signi�cant variations in terms of population change. This Housing Strategy set out an overall framework for the supply of land to meet the housing needs arising in the county and was subject to public consultation alongside the overall Draft Development Plan, and, given the evidence-led approach utilised by FAC, did not require any amendments over the course of the review period.



Meath County Council

Client Name:

Meath County Housing Strategy 2013-2019

2012-2013

Project Title:

Years:


FAC undertook this Economic Regeneration study for the Copper Coast Region on the behalf of the Waterford LEADER Partnership. The study was underpinned by three core objectives to ascertain the current level of economic activity in the region, to identify practical options for future socio-economic development and to provide strategic guidance on the most e�ective means of achieving these objectives. In essence, the study involved an assessment of the economic potential of the region which was informed by a combination of baseline data analysis and consultation with local residents and business people (including surveys and a public workshop). The continued emphasis on stakeholder engagement throughout the assessment process, facilitated the collection of unique tacit knowledge and local expertise from the area, enriching and adding value to the process of vision and strategy development. A key aspect of the project focused upon working with local stakeholders to identify practical and achievable options for short, medium and long-term future economic development and also upon identifying opportunities to co-ordinate a diverse range of marine interests to enable socio-economic bene�ts to be delivered to the Copper Coast community and the project involved extensive public consultation and a major element of the study involved carrying out a labour skills assessment of the local area, so that projects recommended for future economic development can be delivered by a local workforce.

The �ndings of this assessment were utilised to formulate a series of actions which are designed to harness the full economic potential of the region. One of the most crucial of these actions is the development of a shared vision for the Copper Coast, other actions include the development of an o�cial Copper Coast brand, enhancing communications and widening markets, and building awareness of funding sources for local enterprise and community projects.



Economic Regeneration Study for the Copper Coast Region of County Waterford

2013

Waterford LEADER Partnership


year:


Future Analytics Consulting were recently commissioned by West Cork Development Partnership and Goleen and District Community Council, in partnership with Schull and Ballydehob Community Councils, to produce an Integrated Strategic Local Development Plan for the Mizen Peninsula under the LEADER Rural Development Scheme 2007-2013. The project focuses upon the creation of local socio-economic self-su�ciency on the Peninsula through linked-up thinking and action on local development. A key aim is to identify achievable and realistic objectives and actions that will enhance the pro�le of the area, building on local strengths, knowledge and skills to create opportunities for all. The Plan is an important piece of evidence to help leverage and channel future funding and supports in the area, and as such, represents an essential framework to realise local improvements.

The initial stages of the project involved the undertaking of a comprehensive socio-economic baseline analysis of the locality in addition to an audit of local community resources, which together informed the direction of the project and led to the development of a number of targeted strategies to engender local social and economic development. This activity was supplemented by a series of community engagement activities consisting of interviews and stakeholder workshop sessions. A number of key focus areas were subsequently taken forward to be examined in greater detail. This culminated in the identi�cation of a ‘shared vision’ for the Mizen and the formulation of an objective-led development framework for the area. Finally, following further re�nement with the community, a road map for plan delivery was developed to assist in translating identi�ed aspirations into positive actions.



West Cork Development Partnership/ Goleen and District Community Council

Client Name:

Strategic Integrated Local Development Plan for the Mizen Peninsula

2013-2014

Project Title:

years:


FAC nave recently �nalised work with Galway County Council on the Draft Galway County Housing Strategy 2015-2021, which includes a demographic and market assessment, full analysis of housing demand and supply, in addition to the evidence-based formulation of housing objectives to ensure that the proper planning and development of the County provides for the housing needs of existing and future populations in an appropriate manner over the plan period. In line with best practice, the development process for this strategy involved the application of an evidence-based approach to the collection and analysis of data on relevant policy, population growth, household structure, income determinants and housing a�ordability. The strategy also focused upon tackling speci�c legacy issues generated by the fundamental changes that have taken place in the national economy, and in particular in the local housing market, in the intervening period since the development of the preceding strategy.

In carrying out a comprehensive economic market assessment of supply and demand, FAC brought Galway County Council a deep and evidence-based understanding of the wide-ranging impacts of the economic recession on housing and highlighted how and why housing has become one of the most high-pro�le and problematic issues throughout the country over the last number of years. Our economic market assessment exposed how the challenging prevailing market conditions have conspired to cause a rapid collapse in housing demand which coincided with an over-supply in the market and negative equity. In addition, drawing upon our extensive experience gained as part of previous policy development commissions, FAC also provided insight into the wider implications of economic activities (social cost bene�t analysis/indirect impact analysis), providing an evidence-base for the reappraisal of the County Council’s housing provision in light of their contemporary and emerging economic environment.



Galway County CouncilClient Name:

Galway County Housing Strategy 2015-2021

2014

Project Title:

year:


FAC were commissioned to produce a revised Retail Strategy for County Longford, as part of the review and update of the Longford County Development Plan 2009-2015 in line with statutory requirements for all Irish Local Authorities. The Retail Strategy that was developed formed an integral element of the Longford County Development Plan 2015-2021 and was used to assess proposed retail developments over the plan period. The retail analysis undertaken by FAC in relation to this strategy involved the evaluation of current retail and economic trends in the locality and included the assessment of the retail sales index and related quantitative datasets on retail activity. An integral part of this project was the evaluation of existing retail o�ering of County Longford and involved undertaking a retail healthcheck analysis on each of its main retail centres, in addition to a consideration of competing national and regional centres which had the potential to generate signi�cant retail leakage from the County. This analysis was designed to identify strengths and constraints from which recommendations on policies or policy objectives within the revised development plan could be derived. These policies would have the primary intention of reinforcing the existing retail o�ering of the County and, where possible, broadening its appeal within a regional context. In utilising the system for de�ning future �oorspace requirements set out in the Retail Planning Guidelines 2012, the future �oorspace requirements for the County were established through a process of detailed statistical analysis and projection, involving data on existing retail �oorspace, population, disposable income and vacancy.

Overall the detailed retail analysis that was completed by FAC indicated that, in spite of the obvious and substantial di�culties experienced by the localities retail sector in the preceding �ve years, such as high levels of vacancy in terms of retail �oorspace, the primary retail centres in County Longford continue to provide the necessary retail services required by their communities and are also functioning in line with their respective positions within both the settlement and retail hierarchies.



Longford County Retail Strategy 2015-2021

2014

Longford County Council and Longford Town Council


year:


FAC recently completed a specialist package of preliminary works for the Louth Local Authorities in the context of the preparation of their forthcoming Housing and Retail Strategies, which will involve ongoing support from the FAC team. As part of this package of work, quantitative analysis and modelling was undertaken to determine housing demand, income analysis, housing a�ordability and the Housing Strategy for County Louth for the period 2015-2021, while a householder and shopper survey was undertaken by FAC to advance the Louth County Retail Strategy 2015-2021.

This package of work was carried out in the context of number of signi�cant changes to local government structures, which have been announced in the intervening period since the publication of the previous strategies with the introduction of the Local Government Bill 2013 for example, and thus ensured that FAC gained �rsthand experience in the new dynamics of strategy preparation in this changed policy landscape. The work undertaken by FAC also re�ected upon the extraordinary change in prevailing economic circumstances which had occurred in the intervening period. While the previous Retail Strategy faced challenges in how to accommodate growth and in how to manage new retail development demand, the new plan commences with the legacy of a server economic recession. The market research activities carried out by FAC, in the context of these di�cult prevailing economic conditions, were used to determine local perception and demand for retail services, leakage and the draw of competing centres, in addition to gathering information on the available retail spend in the locality for the period 2015-2021. The results of this market research, which identi�ed trends such as retail spend leakage to Dublin and surrounding areas and the prevalence of online retail, will be used by Louth Local Authorities as a robust evidence base upon which to frame the development of an e�ective retail policy framework that will enhance economic growth through the incentivisation of sustainable retail development.



Louth County Council

Client Name:

Louth County Retail and Housing Strategies 2015-2021: Package of Works

2013

Project Title:

Year:


Dr. William Hynes was commissioned by the Midland Regional Authority to carry out a Regeneration Feasibility Study and Economic Appraisal of the future development options for Connolly Barracks facility, an underutlised brown�eld site in Longford Town. Brown�eld sites can be understood as abandoned, vacant, derelict or underutilised commercial or industrial properties, whose redevelopment can yield signi�cant economic bene�ts for their locality, including job creation and increased economic activity. In line with best practice in urban planning, and in the context of implementing national planning policy on sequential retail development, FAC advocates the physical and economic regeneration of such strategic sites. As such, FAC undertook a development feasibility study that considered the barracks continuous and dynamic use and structured the complex into a number of integrated and interlinked ‘zones of development’. In addition, a strategic economic analysis of the development costs to assist the decision‐making process was also carried out. The project, which was led by Dr. Hynes, enabled the authority to identify the positive and negative aspects of various development options and assisted them in the identi�cation of the optimal future development of the lands going forward. This project was proactive in incorporating comments and observations from community groups and stakeholders and was cognisant of maximising its strategic proximity to the town centre.



Connolly Barracks Regeneration Feasibility and Economic Assessment

2010

Midland Regional Authority


year:


FAC have recently commenced work on the evaluation and scoping of a spatial analysis and data visualisation platform for the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, which is part of the Parliamentary Services Division in the Houses of the Oireachtas Service. FAC were chosen for this commission due to the quality and expertise of our dedicated quali�ed technical personnel, who specialise in the in the capture and use of economic and spatial data and in the design and implementation of spatial analysis and geographic information systems (GIS). In addition, FAC were chosen due to our expertise in geospatial data analysis, data visualisation and modelling, spatial trend and impact analysis, and data mining.

In recognition of the importance of the statistical and economic data that the Library and Research Services possesses, FAC will be working with the Oireachtas Library and Research Service to innovative and bespoke spatial analysis and data visualisation platform for presenting this dataset to non-specialised audiences in an easily accessible and user friendly format. It is envisaged that this platform will be developed to function across a number of spatial scales enabling the end-user can identify trends, assess performance locally, nationally and globally against comparable datasets.



Houses of the Oireachtas Library and Research Service


Houses of the Oireachtas Spatial Analysis/Visualisation System Services

2014year:


FAC recently undertook a detailed socio-economic evaluation exercise on the behalf of South Tipperary County Council in order to justify and substantiate Clonmel’s designation as a Hub in any revised National Spatial Strategy. This study, which was commissioned by South Tipperary County Council, presents the �ndings of an independent evaluation of the socio-economic performance of Clonmel, relative to the Hub towns designated in the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002-2020 and has been carried out in light of the recently publicised Gateways and Hubs Development Index (GHDI). The study uses the same methodology as was adopted in the GHDI study to assess the socio-economic performance of Clonmel town, environs and its wider catchment area.

Drawing upon best practice in strategic planning and economic development, the evidence-based report that was produced as a result of this process emphasised the strategic location of Clonmel and its potential to build and capitalise upon the ‘growth triangle’ of Waterford-Kilkenny-Wexford to form a new ‘growth quadrangle’ which would incorporate Clonmel as a fourth Hub. The report set out the socio-economic performance of Clonmel and its environs with reference to the domains and constituent indicators used in the Gateways and Hubs Development Index Report 2012, providing a statistical analysis of same. It also identi�ed the key socio-economic strengths of Clonmel and its functional area relative to the socio-economic performance of designated Hubs within and beyond the wider South-East Region, in addition to the positive characteristics Clonmel possesses that would allow it to qualify its designation as a Hub and enable it to perform the role allocated to a Hub. In summary the socio-economic evaluation completed by FAC provided the Council with the evidence base as to how and why Clonmel would be more e�ective in contributing to national, regional and local socio-economic growth as a Hub as distinct from performing as a county town.




A Planning and Economic Case for Clonmel - Review of the 2002-2020 National Spatial Strategy

2013

South Tipperary County Council


Year:



BioPAD (Bioenergy Proliferation and Development)

2013-2014

Western Development Commission


Years:

FAC are currently working on the project management of a Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) projected entitled BioPAD, working in conjunction with project partners from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Finland. The BioPAD project focuses upon developing a network of local bioenergy markets across the Northern Periphery region of Europe in order to sustain isolated and economically peripheral rural communities and promote the wider use of bioenergy by developing applications targeting the whole process from supplying fuel to producing energy. It is envisaged that the project will grow the ability of NPP communities and municipalities to access and interact with local renewable bio-energy supply chains, driving enterprise and job growth in their respective local communities.

As part of our project management role, FAC were responsible for undertaking extensive analysis of the qualitative data responses derived from the projects interview and community workshop activities. Using the expertise of our professionally trained in-house sta�, in addition to standard qualitative assessment software, FAC organised and processed the transcripts and audio recordings derived from this qualitative research, drawing out key and reoccurring thematic areas in order to extract the most meaningful results and to provide our project partners with a high-level summary of each of the most salient points raised, information which was subsequently used to inform a range of community dissemination activities. FAC were also tasked with conducting a large scale PR and marketing strategy as part of this project and were responsible for creating a number of communication tools to disseminate project information to key audiences.



South-East Regional Authority/ Mid-West Regional Authority

Client Name: Socio-Economic and Business Case for Maintenance of Rosslare-Limerick- Waterford Rail Corridor

2009

Project Title:

year:


The Rosslare–Limerick Junction Railway line is a critical element of transport infrastructure linking population centres across the south of the country. However, despite this strategic position, the rail line had been designated as �nancially unviable due to its under-utilisation and earmarked for possible closure by Iarnrod Eireann. In considering the case for closure, the governing body the National Transport Authority (NTA) invited submissions from a�ected regional and local authorities.

In light of this invitation, FAC were commissioned by the South-East Regional Authority and the Mid-West Regional Authority to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the complete Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick rail corridor and an in-depth review of all of the relevant policy context, in the context of presenting a socio-economic and business case for an alternative strategy to address the performance issues associated with the rail corridor. Drawing upon an extensive policy framework, the project team identi�ed a number of critical shortcomings in the Iarnród Éireann business case for terminating passenger services on the Rosslare-Waterford line and also developed a quantitative estimate of the potential of the line to attract passenger tra�c between the key population and employment centres. This innovative analysis identi�ed that the critical mass and the natural economic linkages between the two centres of Waterford and Wexford provided the natural foundation for a rail transport market.

Overall, the study found that the Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick rail corridor represents an important component of national, regional and local transport infrastructure that provides a critical sustainable linkage to key Gateways and Hubs within the south-east, mid-west and south-west regions of Ireland. The presence of the rail line will also in�uence the delivery of sustainable settlement strategies as set out in the Regional Planning Guidelines and County Development Plans allowing for future sustainable growth and development. The complete rail corridor’s economic, social and tourism potential has not been maximised and it is considered in particular the Rosslare-Waterford segment has a signi�cant contribution to make in this regard. It is clear that all relevant policy supports and strengthens the continued operation and future development of the rail corridor to ensure sustainable transport infrastructure and accessibility to the regions.

Weast�ows is an Interreg IVB project which is looking at a range of methods which can be used to enhance the sustainability of freight logistics and regional freight �ows throughout North-Western Europe to maximise economic e�ciency. Logistics in general and the movement of freight between points of origin and destination are an integral part of the European economy. However, due to the way in which the European freight logistics system has developed, road haulage has become the dominant method for moving freight. Given that sustaining a functional economy throughout Europe is dependent on the ability to move goods quickly and e�ciently, it has become eminently clear that enhancements in the sustainability of the existing freight logistics system is required. Given that the sector is also an important employer it is of equal importance that enhancements aimed at limiting the environmental impact do not occur at the expense of its economic or socio-economic contributions.

FAC have been engaged by the Mid-West Regional Authority to undertake research into the creation of a mechanism for the assessment of a range of policies which in�uence or interact with the operation of freight logistics systems within six designated Gateways throughout Western Europe. It is intended that this mechanism can be used to assess the e�ectiveness of policy and identify possible enhancements which will improve the overall sustainability, encompassing the environmental, social and economic elements. FAC’s work on the WEASTFLOWS project focused upon de�ning the sustainability of freight logistics operations within a number of Western European Gateways. Within this project, FAC assisted the Mid-West Regional Authority with the design and administration of the WEASTFLOWS sustainable gateway interview questionnaire and played an additional role in the collection and analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data generated.



WEASTFLOWS (West and East Freight Flows)

2013-2014

Mid-West Regional Authority


years:




The Regional Indicators Report: Monitoring Framework for the Implementation of the Regional Planning Guidelines (2013), which was carried out on the behalf of the Regional Planner’s Network and Eight Regional Authorities of Ireland, was completed by FAC in 2013 and received a Ministerial launch in 2014.

This study provided an instrument to assess and evaluate the impact of the implementation of Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) 2010-2022 in each of the eight NUTS III regions (or Regional Authority areas) in Ireland. The implementation of the 2010 Regional Planning Guidelines is a vital part of the Government's programme to enable Ireland's planning system to play an important role in the national economic recovery by delivering a plan-led planning system where plans at national, regional and local levels are e�ectively aligned, will bene�t the economy and environment as a whole and provide ever citizen with an opportunity for an improved quality of life. This unprecedented assessment of socio-economic development policy provided a monitoring and benchmarking framework based on an agreed set of social, economic and environmental performance indicators and used empirical baseline data to measure the progress of the implementation of the RPGs, in the context of a proposed statutory review of the guidelines in the period 2014-2016. The outputs and assessments arising from this study have provided policy decision makers with current performance and baseline information to assist in the evaluation of their current strategic policy implementation and development at a regional level, information which can also be linked with national and sub-regional performance.


Regional Planner’s Network/ Eight Regional Authorities of Ireland

Client Name: Project Title: Client Name: Project Title:

year:2013

Regional Indicators Report: Monitoring Framework for the Implementation of the Regional Planning Guidelines

Regional Planner’s Network/ Eight Regional Authorities of Ireland


Project Title:

year:

Review of Tourism Policy Regarding the Development and Funding of Marina and Berthing Facilities in Ireland

2012


Client Name: Failte Ireland


As strategic spatial planners, researchers and socio-economic analysts, FAC have a thorough understanding of the complex policy environment in Ireland. In addition, our participation in numerous European applied-research projects has enabled a strong understanding of European and international policy. In 2012, FAC applied this knowledge and expertise to a Review of Tourism Policy Regarding the Development and Funding of Marina and Berthing Facilities in Ireland, a project which evaluated marina operational models across Ireland in the context of international best practice in developing and funding marina and berthing facilities.

In order to adequately understand the policy and user context, extensive supporting interviews and qualitative surveys were undertaken with local communities and industry stakeholders. FAC engaged Failte Ireland, an Expert Forum and key representatives and stakeholders in the marine leisure industry, in order to identify six domestic and six international case studies to assist in identifying areas of best practice and to elicit insights into the wider marine tourism industry. These case studies provided examples of local, national and international best practice regarding operation, innovation and community engagement, and were used to derive a number of key benchmarking lessons on the operation of the applicable bureaucratic, policy and public dissemination frameworks which apply to marine-related tourism.



years:Ongoing

FAC Development Management Portfolio

Various


FAC as a chartered planning consultancy, provides a full planning service package for all of our clients. These services are provided based upon the individual requirements of each client, and are supported by the skills and experience of FAC’s multidisciplinary team. FAC advocate the creation evidence based planning solutions which take account of the unique circumstances of each case.

Planning Advice: FAC o�er advice regarding any and all planning related issues;

Site Feasibility Assessments and Development Appraisals: FAC undertake detailed site evaluations and development appraisals to allow clients to identify the appropriate type and level of development which can be supported by an individual site or within a speci�c area;

Masterplans: FAC have substantial experience in the compilation of masterplans for a variety of development types, including commercial, industrial, and residential sites and infrastructural projects (such as airports). Using FAC’s masterplanning expertise, clients can formulate their vision for a speci�c site or area, and disseminate to local authorities and other relevant stakeholders how it will prove to be an enhancement of that area;

Policy Submissions to Local Authorities: FAC have extensive experience in the preparation of submissions to local authorities regarding the compilation of development plans and local area plans on behalf of clients and their interests;

Preparation of Planning Applications: FAC have vast experience in the preparation of planning applications for developments ranging in size from one-o� housing units to large residential, commercial and industrial development schemes;

Environmental Impact Assessment: FAC have amassed considerable experience in the coordination and participation of environmental impact assessments on projects and developments of varying scales and complexity;

Third Party Objections: FAC have prepared a signi�cant number of third party objections against development proposals; Planning Appeals, Observations and Submissions: FAC have gained substantial experience in the preparation of both �rst and third party appeals to An Bord Pleanála, as well as in making observations as part of the appeal process;

Expert Witness Services and Attendance at Oral Hearings: FAC senior sta� have experience of performing in the role of expert witnesses at oral hearings, as both advocates for and opponents to proposed developments.



Housing Supply Requirements in Ireland’s Urban Settlements 2014-2018

2014

Housing AgencyClient Name: Project Title:

Year:


FAC has recently completed a piece of research for the Housing Agency which identi�es the level of projected housing supply required in Ireland’s urban settlements between 2014-2018. In doing so, the research identi�ed the areas where housing pressures are most likely to arise relative to projected natural growth. A total of 272 urban settlements were modelled, on the basis of a number of key assumptions relating to population projection, household composition, intercensal trends, housing stock, vacancy rates and obsolescence. The foundation of the model rested on the Central Statistics O�ce (CSO) demographic component method for population projection and the methodology applied key assumptions relating to future trends in fertility, mortality and migration, based on latest available data.

The assessment identi�ed a total supply requirement of 79,660 residential units across the modelled settlements, an average equivalent of 15,932 units per annum over the 5 year period. 47% of total supply requirements were required in the Dublin Region’s urban settlement. Outside of Dublin, the study identi�ed varying requirements across the other principle cities of Cork (4,400 units), Galway (2,300 units), Limerick (2,600) and Waterford (740 units).




The TURAS Project aims to enable European cities and their rural interfaces to build vitally-needed resilience in the face of signi�cant sustainability challenges through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. The increasing proportion of people living in urban areas has led to a range of environmental issues and sustainability challenges. In order to ensure that urban living is sustainable and that cities have the resilience to cope with environmental change these challenges must be met.

Restoration and re-creation of green infrastructure in urban areas is a potential solution to many of these challenges and in high density urban areas with little usable space at ground level, roof level green infrastructure has perhaps the greatest potential to contribute to re-greening urban areas. Given the increasing recognition that the natural environment can provide goods and services of bene�t to humans and the planet (‘ecosystem services’), and that these services can provide resilience for urban areas, the European Commission is now advocating well-planned green infrastructure that provides opportunitiesto protect and enhance biodiversity.

FAC have recently assisted UCD with the development of Geospatial ICT Support Infrastructure for Urban Resilience in a number of Case Study areas, including a green infrastructure policy database for the city ofLondon and a community project evaluation tool for the city of Nottingham.


Project Title:

years:

2011-2014

TURAS (Transitioning Towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability)

Client Name: University College Dublin




year:2011

Pilot project using GIS to audit and assess Coastal Heritage

The Heritage Council

Project Description: FAC in conjunction with Compass Informatics, successfully completed a pilot project using GIS to audit and assess Coastal Heritage. The overall purpose of the project has been to develop a GIS-based approach to enable the comprehensive audit and subsequent assessment of heritage (as de�ned in the Heritage Act 1995) in the coastal areas of the participating local authorities, namely Waterford County Council (speci�cally tourism and heritage tourism, including the Nire Valley Walking Trail), Wicklow County Council, Clare County Council, Galway County Council, Galway City Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick County Council and Fingal County Council. The outcomes and deliverables of the project have provided a clearer understanding of heritage and its signi�cance and will provide the basis for future management of this important resource for enhanced economic and environmental bene�ts.




years:2013-2014

Cunninghams Funeral Directors Capacity Model and Viewer

Cunninghams Funeral Directors


FAC were tasked with developing a dynamic online viewer for the results of a population projection and catchment capacity model. The Cunningham Catchment Capacity Model was developed to assist Cunningham Funeral Directors improve their knowledge of population pro�les across Electoral Divisions [ED] in Ireland. Rather than working on historic population trends, the model takes Central Statistics O�ce [CSO] projection methods to project ED populations from the present up to the year 2040. The model was been developed in two stages:

- Stage 1: Excel based Population Projections /Mortality Estimates- Stage 2: Online Viewer

The model was developed as an online platform using Tableau and administered behind a front-end login interface for security purposes. The resulting model empowered the user to generate custom catchments and area pro�les based on individual study requirements.




years:2013-2014

Greater Dublin Drainage Project Irish Water


FAC have recently commenced work on this strategic infrastructure project in partnership with a range of other development organisations and utilities providers. The Greater Dublin Drainage initiative aims to provide strategic drainage infrastructure that the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) requires for its continuing development. Post completion of an earlier comprehensive site selection process, work has commenced on the completion of a planning application for the proposed development, to incorporate additional reports including an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). New EU Directives on the EIA process, published in May 2014, will widen the list of issues to be assessed as part of an EIS for a project and this will include risk prevention and environmental and human health. Irish Water will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that will cover this wider scope of the new EIA procedure. The potential impacts of the construction and operational phases of the project will be assessed in the EIS under a number of headings, with Future Analytics Consulting commissioned by Fingal County Council to carry out the socio-economic assessment portion of the EIA. The �ndings of this assessment will be presented in the Human Beings chapter of the EIS. For the speci�c purposes of the assessment on impacts on human beings, a 1km study area around the proposed site has been selected.

Fingal County Council on behalf of Meath, Kildare, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils and Dublin City Council, has engaged consultations to carry out the planning phase and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the Greater Dublin Drainage project. It is intended to submit the application for planning approval for the project to An Bord Pleanála in 2014 and the EIS will form part of the planning application documentation.



Client Name:

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Project Title:

year:2013

CONFRONT (Countering New Forms of Human Tra�cking)


In September 2013, FAC was selected by the PSNI to assist in the preparation of a project proposal under the Prevention of and Fight against Crime (ISEC) programme of the European Commission, which aimed at intensifying the EU e�orts to working towards the eradication of tra�cking in human beings. In this role, FAC utilised its experience in developing proposals and participating and coordination projects for the European Commission to provide relevant advice and support to the PSNI. FAC o�ered the PSNI a suite of professional advice including recommendations and suggestions on consortium size and composition, key proposal focus areas, project and work package structure, allocation of tasks among partners, project dissemination procedures and end-user selection. In addition to assisting with proposal management and administration support, FAC designed project management and coordination structures and procedures to be implemented by the PSNI following the project’s funding, including the scheduling of deliverables, quality and time management control mechanisms, and ethical considerations. FAC also communicated with the wider Consortium to e�ciently coordinate proposal contributions, respond to any queries and assemble legal and administrative documents from all partners, and took responsibility for preparing the budget for the CONFRONT proposal, following discussion with the PSNI and all project partners.

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